Grace Episcopal Church partners with Second Harvest

An array of circumstances has culminated in the creation of a partnership between Grace Episcopal Church and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina.

BY DWIGHT DAVISThe Dispatch

And on the seventh day, they feed the needy.An array of circumstances has culminated in the creation of a partnership between Lexington's Grace Episcopal Church and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. The result is the only Sunday feeding program in the area at the church.The stories of those going through the line are heartwarming, said the Rev. Bonnie Duckworth, deacon pastoral associate at Grace Episcopal. "Some have said they are so thankful because without this they would not have access to any other food throughout the week," she said. "Some have said they appreciate the fact that they are shown respect."It's developed into a sort of social network gathering of nice people who don't feel intimidated. There's no requirement (for them) associated with church or religion. They can just come and take some groceries home."Seeds for the program were first sown in 2004 when the Lexington Salvation Army was forced to temporarily shut down its Soup Kitchen to complete required kitchen renovations. Grace Episcopal stepped in to host the Monday through Friday Soup Kitchen's lunch meal.When the Salvation Army's renovations were completed and the Soup Kitchen returned to its facility, Grace Church realized that no lunch meal was being offered to the Soup Kitchen attendees on Sundays. Thus, the church's Sunday Lunch program was born and has operated in the church undercroft (fellowship hall) each Sunday since that time with the assistance of volunteers from not only Grace Church but also First Lutheran, First Baptist on West Third Avenue, First United Methodist, First Reformed United Church of Christ, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic and Wesley Heights UMC, all sending members to assist in the preparation and serving of the midday meal. To date, some 19,500 lunches have been served from the church undercroft through this program.As the Sunday lunch program grew, according to a news release from Grace Church, often attendees would request a "to-go" plate because they did not have sufficient food for the remainder of the day or knew someone who was without food who could use a meal delivered to them. Given the obvious need to send Sunday lunch guests home with not only a full stomach but sufficient food supplies for the week, volunteers from the church worked to apply and become a recognized partner agency of Second Harvest Food Bank so that groceries could be provided to guests of the Sunday lunch program.The "to-go" food is offered in buffet fashion, Duckworth said, as opposed to being bagged for participants. "They sort of get to shop for food, and that gives them a little more feeling of ownership."Duckworth also points out that the donations of fruit from the Lexington Farmer's Market and a Food Lion store have been important. "It's nice that they can get something other than canned food," she noted.In addition to the groceries supplied by Second Harvest, individuals have pitched in to donate groceries on a weekly basis to further stock the shelves of Grace Church's food distribution center, which also occupies the undercroft on Sundays. Guests of the Sunday lunch meal comprise all ages and number anywhere between 40 and 80-plus on a given Sunday.Second Harvest Food Bank is part of the Feeding America program and has locations throughout the country. It is celebrating 30 years of existence this year.Jan Jones, agency outreach coordinator for Second Harvest, who oversees nine of the 18 counties that are covered by the food bank, including Davidson, says Grace Episcopal creates a strategic partnership."Considering the location, and what they do … they have the only feeding program open in that town on Sunday. They are helping those who are working and face barriers during the week for food. It's great that they can have a meal and get a box of food to help them through the month."In addition to providing partner agencies with food, Second Harvest also provides council to help families stretch food dollars.In order to receive groceries from a partner agency, attendees are asked to submit an application that is required by Second Harvest to track those who receive groceries through their food distribution partnership program. Due to their age or other circumstances, most participants in the food pantry program are not eligible for assistance through other food pantries in the community. Church groups, civic organizations or individuals wishing to volunteer to assist either the Sunday lunch or food distribution programs or donate funds to secure necessary supplies and equipment may call the parish office at 249-7211.Dwight Davis can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 226 or at dwight.davis@the-dispatch.com.